Upon a Starlit Tide

Woods (After the Forest) enchants in this sophisticated fairy tale that riffs on both “The Little Mermaid” and “Cinderella.” Lucinde “Luce” Léon is the youngest adoptive daughter of Jean-Baptiste Léon, a distinguished ship owner in 1758 Saint-Malo, Brittany. All her life, Luce has suffered from her misshapen feet, which cause her immense pain with every step. This ache is only soothed when she escapes into the sea, often secretly exploring its depths and retrieving stolen treasures from shipwrecks alongside her dear friend Samuel Thorner, a roguish smuggler. One day, Luce rescues an unconscious stranger near shore and they share an unforgettable kiss before she flees. The man tuns out to be Morgan de Châtelaine, the dashing son of another influential ship-owning family and captain of the recently wrecked Dauphin. To celebrate Morgan’s return, the de Châtelaines throw a ball, and all the local maidens flock at the chance to win the young captain’s heart. This night could finally lead Luce to a happily ever after—but she has too many dark secrets plaguing her, and every day danger draws closer to their harbor. Woods pays loving tribute to two classic tales while crafting an intricate coming-of-power plot that is entirely its own. Readers will be enthralled. Agent: Julie Crisp, Julie Crisp Literary. (Feb.)